Learn a Foreign Language As an Engineer? 1021
Ben B writes "I'm working on an undergraduate degree in computer engineering in the US, and I'm a native English-speaking citizen. In fact, English is the only language that I know. Maybe it's not the same at other schools, but for the engineering program at mine, a foreign language is not required. If my plans are to one day be involved in research, is it worth my time to learn a foreign language? If so, which one?" Learning something new is almost never a waste of time, but how much energy have others found worthwhile to expend with all of the programming/math/tech type courses to be had at a large university?
Suggestions... (Score:5, Funny)
Chinese, Japanese, Hindi, Klingon.
Qu'vatlh ghuy'cha' jay'! (Score:5, Funny)
Hab SoSlI' Quch!
Re:If you're going to live in the US ... (Score:1, Funny)
There's nothing proper about Limey-speak as it's known here at my UK owned company. ;)
Questioned Answered (Score:5, Funny)
is it worth my time to learn a foreign language? If so, which one?
Girlspeak.
I'm currently living with four (4) girls (three daughters, wife) all of which are able to speak in riddles and conundrums that they themselves understand, while leaving me completely at a loss of any valuable information.
Interestingly enough, this Girlspeak language transcends cultural boundaries! It is simply amazing how two girls can communicate without actually knowing the native tongue of the other.
The fact is, I've spent half a lifetime trying to understand girlspeak without much progress.
Chinese (Score:1, Funny)
Because I for one welcome our soon to be new lemon chicken eating overlords.
Re:Suggestions... (Score:5, Funny)
At least that way, gas prices won't seem so bad when they're priced in litres instead of gallons.
Esperanto (Score:1, Funny)
First choice.... (Score:4, Funny)
Re:Questioned Answered (Score:2, Funny)
The fact is, I've spent half a lifetime trying to understand girlspeak without much progress.
There's a reason you can't learn it.
If the OP wasn't born a female, the learning procedure for girlspeak is extremely painful, and involves scalpels.
The most painful part isn't when the doctor removes his manhood ... it's when they scoop out half his brains!
(okok, old joke, apologies to the geekgrrls :-)
Re:If you're going to live in the US ... (Score:5, Funny)
There are 1 types of people in this world. Those who waste bits.
Those who don't are considered to be the default case.
Layne
Re:Keep in mind... (Score:2, Funny)
For example, a German news story [yahoo.com]
See? Totally easy to understand...
Re:Suggestions... (Score:5, Funny)
Learn Norwegian......Norwegian hot chicks
Learn Portugese......Brazillian hot chicks
Learn Swiss..........Swedish hot chicks
Learn Japanese.......Cosplay...errr Japanese hot chicks
Learn Khoisan........because noone else will (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khoisan_languages)
Layne
Well, for starters, learn C. (Score:3, Funny)
Once you know C you can learn any language. ;-)
Learn Bocce (Score:4, Funny)
Don't waste your time learning Wookie -- they're not hiring right now. But if you can speak Bocce then you can get a job on any of the Hutt-controlled planets. What the galaxy really needs, however, is a droid who understands the binary language of moisture vaporators. I suggest taking some classes in Human-Cyborg Relations.
Re:Questioned Answered (Score:1, Funny)
"The fact is, I've spent half a lifetime trying to understand girlspeak without much progress."
You got laid at least 2 times, and this is slashdot, so you're probably ahead of the curve...
Easy! (Score:5, Funny)
(if (vowel? (first wd))
(word wd 'ay)
(pigl (word (bf wd) (first wd)))))
(define (vowel? letter)
(member? letter '(a e i o u)))
Re:Qu'vatlh ghuy'cha' jay'! (Score:2, Funny)
Hab SoSlI' Quch!
I don't *have* a mother, you insensitive petaQ!
Re:stick to english (Score:1, Funny)
For botnets, learn Russian.
Re:Easy! (Score:4, Funny)
Ewww.. I understood that. Icky icky
{icky; icky(); if ((_hIcky32 = GetIck32(hWnd, pIck))==SUCCESS) { //ICKY! }
Icky LISP!
Re:If you're going to live in the US ... (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Suggestions... (Score:2, Funny)
Re:If you're going to live in the US ... (Score:1, Funny)
Wouldn't the default case be the ones who waste bits? Has been in my experience.
Re:Suggestions... (Score:4, Funny)
You could also learn Japanese for some geek cred if you're into anime (I hate having to wait for dattebayo to sub bleach). Also, I've heard that they have a deficiency of engineers (part of the contribution is that they are hesitant to hire foreign workers), and their economy is always awesome. Plus, Japanese girls are cute.
Re:Suggestions... (Score:5, Funny)
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/507 [mozilla.org]
Re:Suggestions... (Score:5, Funny)
Gesundheit!
Re:The language of engineers (Score:2, Funny)
Long live Rammstein!
Re:Easy! (Score:1, Funny)
What good is learning a new language if you speak with a lisp?
Re:Suggestions... (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Suggestions... (Score:2, Funny)
You guys are so geographically challenged, I cannot believe it!
Swiss is a country, located between France, Italy and Germany, where chicks are definitely not hot (unless you are into Big Berthas).
They have four official languages: German, French, Italian and Romansch.
Sweden is located way up north or Europe, in between Norway and Finland. Chicks are hot there...
Re:Suggestions... (Score:4, Funny)
If you want a Swedish chick of 99+ yrs old... Otherwise stick to the German, French, Italian ones.